Figure toy



(110 Model.)

W. CHURCH.

FIGURE TOY.

No. 457,397. Patented Aug. 11,1891.

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' W 11-16mm 0/20210/7 WM; w per UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM CHURCH, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

FIGURE TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,397, dated August 11, 1891. I

Application filed October 3, 1890. Serial No. 366,957. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIAMv CHURCH, of the city of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Mechanical Toys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanical toys; and it consists in arranging about a straight standard or rod a spiral wire secured at each end to the adjacent end of the rod and in linking or loosely connecting with the spiral wire a toy figure, which will of its own weight slide downward upon the wire, and thus travel around the rod when the rod is held in its upright position.

My invention further consists in the construction and combination hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the toy, showing the relative positions of the spiral wire and the inclosed rod or standard and the manner in which the toy figure is connected to the wire; and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same with the loop or ring at the end of the rod removed.

In the drawings, 2 represents a straight rod made,preferably, of heavy wire and formed at each end with a loop or spring 3 for convenient handling. Secured at each end to the loops 3 and wound spirally about the rod 2,

but not in contact with it, is the wire 4, to which the toy figure 5 is connected and upon which it runs to and fro as impelled by force of gravity when the rod is held in an upright position. This figure may be of any desired shape or representation. As shown in the drawings, it is a miniature human figure, the extending arms 6 of which are connected together by the wire loop 7, which is also passed around the wire 4:, a similar loop or strap being secured to the body of the figure and passed around the wire 4. The figure is thus and is free to move along the same.

The toy is operated by holding the rod 2 in a sufficiently-inclined position to allow the figure to move downward by force of gravity, it being rapidly rotated over the rod 2 1n its descent by reason of the spiral shape of the wire. WVhen the figure has descended to the lower end of the rod, it is carried back to the other end of the rod by simply inverting the wheel.

While modifications in details of construction may be made, they are within the scope and principle of my invention it there be a spiral guide or support for the toy figure, along and upon which it may be impelled by force of gravity.

I claim- 1. The combination of a straight standard or rod, a spiral wire rigidly secured at each end to one end of said rod and surrounding the same, but not in contact therewith, and a toy figure 1o sely linked to said wire, substantially as escribed.

2. The combination of the rod 2, having the rings or loops 3, the spiral Wire 4, arranged around and at a distance from said rod, and

the figure 5, loosely linked tosaid Wire 4, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a rod or standard, a spiral wire rigidly connected at each end thereto, and a toy figure loosely linked to the same and adapted to run to and fro along and rotate about the spiral as impelled by gravity, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a spiral guide or support and a toy figure loosely connected therewith by rings or staples embracing said guide and secured to said toy and adapted to descend along the same as impelled by gravity, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of September, 1890.

WILLIAM CHURCH. In presence of T. D. MERWIN, A. MAE .WELoH. 

